Monday, June 17, 2013

St. Botulph & Bunker Hill

Today is the feast day of St. Botulph or Botolph, a 7th Century Anglo-Saxon Abbot that few have ever heard much about. His connection to Boston, however, means that his name is not altogether forgotten!

A town was named for him in Lincolnshire, England, originally called Botulph's Town, then Botulphstown, which became, simply, Boston. Thus, Boston, Massachusetts is at least indirectly named for a 7th century abbot.

Map of the City of Boston during the time of the American Revolution.

Boston was, of course, one of the earliest settlements of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, receiving its name and date of foundation in 1630AD. It was named directly for Boston, Lincolnshire, England. It was founded by Puritans from England. Notably, Samuel Cole founded the city's first Tavern & Inn in 1634AD.

Boston remains a city with a rich history involving not only the days of Colonial rule, the Revolution, but also of massive Irish immigration that remade the city as it is today.

UPDATED: 17 June 1775 was the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill, as well. The British, who controlled the city of Boston, sought to drive a colonial force off of Breed's Hill next to Charlestown. This was, of course, in the wake of the clash at Lexington and Concord, MA earlier that April 1775. The colonists had occupied the position only days before in anticipation of the British securing the hills about Boston.

It took multiple assaults, and cost the British a thousand casualties of the 3,000 men engaged, but the succeeded in securing the position and driving the rebels from the hill.

Map of the Final Assault on Breed's Hill during the Battle of Bunker Hill.

This was a show of the discipline and fighting resolve of the British Redcoat. It also demonstrated rather clearly that the situation in Massachusetts, a year before the Declaration of Independence, had deteriorated to open conflict. Loyal subjects of the crown?